The blog posted by fellow classmate, Kavina Patel: "A Fight for Equality - Gay Marriage",  moved me to critique it:


  
http://thegovernmentnotebook.blogspot.com/


 I whole heartedly agree with her blog. I like the fact that she provided her personal opinion on the issue, presented the facts, and concluded by voicing her hopes for future America.

The subject matter is a controversial and powerful one. People seem to either be completely for it or totally against it.  I have never understood it when people say that homosexual relationships somehow degrade the institution of marriage and somehow hurt those involved in traditional relationships.

As K. Patel mentions, "The government shouldn't be the one who involuences people's decision over who to spend the rest of their lives with." This thinking seems like a no-brainer, whose business is it which gender your neighbor chooses to love? Patel also highlights a sad but true reality, "..even though the lift on the ban won't have immediate effects as it is going through the appeal process. As for right now "same-sex couples in Texas cannot get married." The tone of the blog is one of cautious optimism for the future, highlighting Judge Orlando Garcia's progressive steps forward, but reminding us not to unload the ticker tape just yet.

I would have liked to have heard more from K. Patel. I enjoyed her personal views on the subject matter. I seem to share the same perspectives on this issue and would have enjoyed a more indepth blog, not because I like lengthy compositions, but because it appears her views are insightful and meaningful to me. A breakdown on how she acquired her views would have been a great addition. Sometimes we're not sure of a specific moment or revelationary incident that brought us to our current mode of thinking, though. Sometimes, as I believe is true in my case, it is alot of minor moments along life's path.

K. Patel mentions the separation of church and state and denotes a poignant argument, as to who WOULD "force their religious beliefs on the topic of same-sex marriage"? However, much of the argument and debate does not have to do with the religious aspect of the same-sex marriage anyhow, it's the government benefits that are denied to these couples, and THAT seems to be as much of an issue of the same-sex marriage controversy as anything. Those that are against it hide behind the guise of it being something spiritual and religious, attempting to, as many right-wingers seem to do, appeal to those that are deeply religious by bringing God into the equation, when it's really about not wanting to provide benefits to same-sex couples.

I'm enjoyed reading your blog, K. Patel and look forward to reviewing more from you!